Gran Turismo 7: we approached Polyphony Digital's new baby on PS5

At the very beginning of the week, we were able to discover a little more about Gran Turismo 7, with a visit to the garage in due form, led by Kazunori Yamauchi himself.

Started in 1997, the Gran Turismo saga celebrates its twenty-fifth anniversary this year. And yes, already!

Gran Turismo 7: The Real Driving…The Car Life Simulator ?

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the license with dignity, Gran Turismo 7 wants to be a return to the sources for the saga, and this will notably involve the presence of the famous World Map. The latter will allow easy (and quick) access to the various sections of the game, with the essential Permits, a Panoramas section, and world circuits, the legendary cars, the second-hand market, the tuning shop, the dealers and of course the multiplayer. A central hub that is both simple and complete, “as before”.

Polyphony Digital also wanted to improve the relationship that will develop between the player and his vehicles. The studio promises to have optimized the general physics, but also the engine sounds, without forgetting new camera effects to make the whole thing more realistic than ever. Of course, it will be possible to modify your vehicle and claim all your love for a particular manufacturer, without forgetting to go through the washing and oil change boxes. Players will of course be able to produce their own content and share it online. In total, Gran Turismo 7 promises more than 400 cars available from the launch of the game.

Cars that can be acquired from three distinct areas. Thus, vehicles dating from 2001 and newer will need to be purchased from dealerships. Older vehicles will be found in a “Used” section, while Legend cars will be available exclusively from specific dealers. On the circuit side, at launch, GT 7 will offer more than 34 locations and 90 available tracks. There will be the Sunday Cup and Clubman Cup, but also a Circuit Experience mode to learn each route.

From a graphical point of view, Gran Turismo 7 will offer two distinct modes, namely a Display Frequency mode and a Ray Tracing mode. The first promises to keep a frame rate of 60 fps in all circumstances, even if it means sacrificing (a little) certain graphic details. In Ray Tracing mode, we will take advantage of the precious technology, but only in certain modes, such as slow motion or photo mode. So no “in-game” ray-tracing.

Various comparative images have been exhibited by the studio, with a ray-tracing mode that displays richer details when observing a vehicle in the showroom, for example at the rims or brake calipers, for a more "realistic" rendering. ". On a replay phase, the difference is a little less visible. To be seen "in real life" when the game is released.

JVFR

For “replay” enthusiasts, Polyphony Digital announces that it has reworked the formula, with replays that are still just as immersive of course, but with better camera placement. Those who keep the music on during replays will also enjoy an optimized experience, with camera angles that will "adapt" to the music. The same replay can thus be presented in several ways, with different points of view.

JVFR

Moreover, Gran Turismo 7 will also offer a new Music Rally mode, for those who like to drive to music to relax, like in real life. Kazunori Yamauchi explains: "The objective of this mode is not to drive fast, but to enjoy both your car and the music".

Un State of Play special Gran Turismo 7

At the end of this presentation given by the creator of Gran Turismo himself, we were able to view the new State of Play dedicated entirely to the future Gran Turismo 7. The opportunity to reaffirm this desire to create a true ode to the automobile, and a simulation that can be enjoyed by all generations of virtual pilots. The opportunity also to appreciate in more detail the “world map” of this GT 7, but also the various details mentioned above… as well as (very) many gameplay phases. We will find the emblematic tracks of the saga like Trial Mountain, Deep Forest or High Speed ​​Ring, alongside very real circuits like Monza, Sukuza, Tsukuba, but also the Red Bull Ring or the Nürburgring. Drifting will also be there, as will “dragster” racing, not to mention the possibility of driving on a soggy track… but also a good old split-screen two-player mode, again “as before”!

JVFR

On the weather side, Polyphony Digital promises to have taken special care of this Gran Turismo 7, with skies (and lighting) that will change in an ultra realistic way. Better still, Polyphony Digital promises a natural and complete weather cycle, with a track that can for example go from dry to wet, without forgetting to dry first at the level of the trajectory, with puddles and other traps to avoid on the edge of the track. Like in a real race.

JVFR

The game also includes a weather radar (displayed at the bottom right of the screen) so that the player can estimate the arrival of rain or, on the contrary, the return of the sun. On a circuit like the Nüburgring, it can rain on one part of the circuit, while the other end of the track is perfectly dry. Again, we can't wait to test/see this for ourselves. Of course, the video also covers the many possibilities related to tuning, the new Music Rally mode, the landscapes or the Photo mode which promises to be more complete than ever.

JVFR

Gran Turismo 7 will be available on March 4 on PS5, as on PS4, and we do not hide from you that we await the latest offspring from Polyphony Digital with some impatience.